When in print, my No. 4 stops advancing just as the cylinder is about to shift down into print. I thought I had the cylinder eccentric mechanisms assembled incorrectly, but I’ve reassembled it several times… The trip roller (BR-134) is at the very top of the trip wedge when the cylinder stops advancing, but there […]
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What is my press?
I’m trying to figure out what model my press is. I don’t find a model number anywhere, it says Vandercook cast in along the top edge of the bed rail and maybe H 181 but can’t tell for sure. The wheel for rolling the roller has a plate on it saying 600-142-A. Bed size is […]
MoreRemoving a cabinet drawer
Sounds silly but I have a Vandercook 3, mid 1950s vintage and want to remove the drawers to be refinished. I can’t figure out how to get them out, there must be a trick. I’ve searched this site and Briarpress for an answer but no luck. thanks much.
MorePress Part Manufacturing, Gripper Bar Lever, Feedboard and Dead bar
I recently manufactured some press parts: a gripper bar lever for a No. 3 inspired by several posts on this blog, a new feedboard for the No. 3, that gets bolted onto two wooden side posts, and a dead bar for a Uni I. The No. 3 is actually for sale now as well. The […]
MoreVandercook No. 4 Paper Release Issue
We’ve been having an issue at MSU with the paper releasing at the end of the bed of a Vandercook No. 4. I had talked to you about this briefly at Hamilton, but I took some photos and it looks like there is a large shim and was wondering if this is normal. I feel […]
MoreUniversal III Motor and oiling
I own a Uni III PC AB with a Reliance motor. I wanted to check the oil in the inking motor as there is a bit or a burning smell after a long day printing, and I assume the oil in this decades old machine has never been changed. Thus, it seemed appropriate to replace […]
MoreImpression rollers and carriage ball bearings
My 15-21 has a history of the carriage rollers and ball bearings seizing up now and then. This makes moving the carriage very difficult and printing impossible. The last attempt I made to loosen them up involved a vacuum jar and motor oil. The grease inside the bearings was dry and (let’s just say…) “crunchy”. […]
MoreVandercook No.4 Piece Fell Off
Hello! I’ve been trying to identify what this part is that fell off the press and find the home to reinstall it on the press. It was found on the right side of the press when looking up towards the feedboard side. I have a Vandercook No.4. Any direction you could provide would be great, […]
MoreVandercook #4
Hi Paul. We’ve just purchased a Vandercook #4 we think it was originally owned by University of MN Duluth, serial #9903. We removed the carriage for transportation and will be following your directions for reassembly! While it is off we’ve been getting her all cleaned up and noticed that three of the steel carriage rollers […]
MoreSP-15 Squeal
Got a bad squeal on the SP-15. Can’t figure out where the noise is coming from. Suspect that the back roller core is defective and the bearer is not holding it correctly. I think we need a new roller/core. Anyway, in printing the oscillating roller squeals badly. Just started doing this today. Any thoughts? Thanks.
MoreRoller issues, squeaky sound on No.4
Revised. I’ve recently refurbished a No. 4. When the roller carriage is in contact with the ink drum (hence the form roller clutch is engaged), there’s an awful squeaking sound. The front rider roller does roll, and the oscillating roller seems sort of sluggish. It’s difficult to gauge where the sound is coming from, but […]
MoreSP25 ink drum “bouncing”
The ink drum on my SP25 has started bouncing up and down at one end as soon as any slight pressure is applied, like when I lower the form rollers or when I wipe off the ink while the drum is turning. I can’t see any visible irregularities in the chain links or any of […]
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